Automatic powder scooper



y 1968 J. H. CARGILE 3,383,020

AUTOMAT I C POWDER SCOOPER Filed Aug. 29, 1966 I 2 Sheets-Sheet I I/VI/'A/TO/fi JAMES H. CARGILE y 968 J. H. CARGILE 3,383,020

AUTOMATI C POWDER SCOOPER T 36 I mms/vma 76 :38 JAMES H. CARGILE I By 70 68 74 A TTORNE'YJ.

United States Patent 3,383,020 AUTOMATIC POWDER SCOOPER James H. Cargile, Atlanta, Tex., assignor to Day & Zimmermann, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Maryland Filed Aug. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 575,637 12 Claims. (Cl. 222-168) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic powder scooper which is relatively simple, inexpensive and reliable. The scooper may be used for scooping initiating explosives. Tests run with the scooper indicate constant repeatability of the charge. The scooper is small in size and can be adapted to existing loading equipment. The scooper includes an open top powder receptacle having a scoop supported adjacent thereto. The scoop is moved toward and away from the receptacle so that it may remove powder therefrom. The scoop is supported about a substantially horizontal axis so that the scoop may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle. A rake-oflf bar is provided adjacent the receptacle for cooperation with the scoop for controlling the amount of powder therein.

This invention relates to an automatic powder scooper, and more particularly, to a mechanical device for automatically repetitively removing a controlled amount of powder from a receptacle and discharging the same into a desired area.

The need for an automatic powder scooper has existed for more than twenty years, particularly subsequent to World War II for use in connection with initiating explosives. The sensitivity of explosive powders creates special problems due to the hazards of initiation caused by friction, heat, static charges, resistance to flow, and probably other unknown factors.

Heretofore, sensitive powders have always been handscooped using specially designed scoops to meet a required weight charge. Use of such scoops has not been particularly satisfactory clue to deviations of the weight charge resulting from the combination of a variety of factors including the human element, consistent particle size, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic powder scooper which is relatively simple, inexpensive and reliable. Thus, tests run in connection with the scooper of the present invention indicate constant repeatability of the charge. The scooper of the present invention is small in size and can be adapted to existing loading equipment. The use of an automatic powder scooper in accordance with the present invention not only eliminates the necessity for workers, provides more uniform reliability or repeatability of the charge, but also relieves workers of a task which can result in loss of life when explosions occur.

In general, the scooper of the present invention includes an open top powder receptacle having a scoop supported adjacent thereto. Means are connected to the scoop for actuating the scoop so that it moves toward and away from the receptacle so that it may remove powder from the receptacle. Said means also pivotably supports the scoop about a substantially horizontal axis so that the scoop may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle. A rake-off bar is provided adjacent the receptacle for cooperation with the scoop for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel automatic powder scooper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide "ice an automatic device for repetitively removing powder from a receptacle and discharging the same in uniform controlled amounts.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic powder scooper which is small in size, simple, and capable of being utilized on existing loading machines.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the scooper of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is of a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the scooper in FIG- URES l and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 44 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 an automatic powder scooper designated generally as 10.

The scooper 10 includes a horizontal base 12 having an upright support member 14 and brace 15. The upper end of the support member 14 is provided with a generally horizontally disposed sleeve 18 supporting therewith in a power input shaft 16. Suitable bearings are provided so that shaft 16 may rotate about its longitudinal axis. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, one end of the shaft 16 is connected to a sprocket 20. Sprocket 20 is.

mechanically coupled to a sprocket 24 by means of a chain 22.

The sprocket 24 is provided on a horizontally disposed shaft 26 supported from the base 12 by means of a bracket 28. A pulley 30 on shaft 26 is connected to the output pulley of a motor 34 by an endless belt 32. Other equivalent devices may be utilized to couple the rotary output of motor 34 to the shafts 16 and 26.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, there is provided a yoke 36 having spaced arms 38 and 40. The shaft 16 extends through aligned holes in the arms 38 and 40. Suitable bearings are provided on the shaft 16 so that the arms 38 and 40 are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of shaft 16, but are not connected to shaft 16 for rotation therewith. Cams 42 and 44 are provided on shaft 16 between the yoke arms 38 and 40. Cams 42 and 44 are connected to the shaft 16 for rotation therewith. This may be expeditiously accomplished by interconnecting the cams by pins as shown and connecting cam 44 to shaft 16 by means of a set screw.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 3, the support arm 46 is supported by the shaft 16 between yoke arm 40 and sleeve 18. Arm 46 is provided with a suitable hearing so that it does not rotate with shaft 16. The end of arm 46 remote from shaft 16 is provided with a pin 50 pivotably coupled to link 48. One end of link 48 is provided with a rotatable cam follower 52 engaging the outer periphery of cam 44.

The end of link 48 remote from cam follower 52 is pivotably coupled to link 54 by pin 56. Link 54 is pivotably coupled to the yoke '36 by pin 58. Thus, cam 44 causes yoke 36 to move through an are about the longitudinal axis of shaft 16.

The lower end of yoke 36 is provided with a journal 60 receiving a shaft 62. A connecting arm '64 is fixedly secured to shaft 62 and pivotably connected ,to a main connecting arm 65. Connecting arm 65 is adjustably connected to a connecting rod 66. The end of rod 66 remote from arm 64, as shown more clearly in FIG- URE 1, is provided with a clevis pivotably connected to a link 68 by means of a pin 70.

The link 68 is pivotably connected to the yoke arm 38 by means of a pin 72. A cam follower 74 is rotatably supported by the link 68 and engages the outer periphery of the cam 42. A spring 76 has one end connected to a pin 78 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 1. The other end of spring 76 is connected to the arm 65 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 5, a scoop shaft holder 80 is connected to one end of the shaft 62. A scoop shaft 82 is adjustably connected to the holder 80 and terminates at its lower end in a scoop 84. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 4, the scoop 84 extends into a funnel 86.

The scoop 84 is adapted to remove controlled amounts of powder from a powder receptacle 88. Powder receptable 88 is desirably made from or lined with plastic or some other material which will avoid possibility of creating sparks due to contact with the scoop 84. The receptacle 88 is supported by a plate 89 connected to the upper end of a shaft 80 suitably journalled on the base 12.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 4, the longitudinal axis of shaft 90 and receptacle 88 is inclined approximately degrees with respect to a vertical line perpendicular to base 12. The lower end of shaft 90 3 is connected to gear 92 meshingly engaged with a worm 94. Worm 94 is on shaft 26 and rotates therewith. As a result thereof, the receptacle 88 will rotate about its longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of shaft 90 so as to constantly vary the location of powder therein to be removed by the scoop 84.

Adjacent the receptacle 88, there is provided a rakeotf assembly designated generally as 96. Assembly 96 includes a pair of spaced parallel arms 98 and 100 connected adjacent their lower ends by means of a pin 102. The ends of pin 102 are journalled in blocks 104 and 106 on the upper surface of base 12. An adjusting screw 108 is provided on the arm 98 so as to adjust the general position of the rake-off bar 110.

Rake-off bar 110 is in engagement with a connecting member 112 extending between the arms 98 and 100. A plate 114 overlies a portion of the bar 110. Gross adjustments of the bar 110 can be made by means of screws 116. Minor adjustments of the elevation of bar 110 are effected by means of screw 108.

The operation of the scooper 10 is as follows.

The motor 34 continuously rotates the shafts 16 and 26. As a result thereof, the receptacle 88 is continuously rotating about its longitudinal axis and earns 42 and 44 are rotating with shaft 16. As cam follower 52 follows the contour of cam 44, link 48 is caused to pivot about pin and thereby cause the lower end of yoke 36 to move toward and away from the open top of receptacle 88.

As cam follower 74 follows the contour of cam 42, link 68 pivots about pin 72 and through rod 66, arm 65, arm 64, shaft 62 and holder 80, the scoop shaft 82 is moved from the generally vertical disposition shown in FIGURES 1 and 4 to a generally horizontal disposition shown in phantom in FIGURE 4. The sequence of movements is as follows: the lower end of yoke 36 is caused to move to the left in 'FIGURE 1 so that the scoop shaft 82 may assume a generally horizontal position, then the scoop shaft and scoop are moved into the open end of the receptacle 88, powder enters scoop 84, the scoop arm 82 and scoop 84 are raised while being withdrawn so that the upper edge of the scoop 84 passes adjacent to the lower edge of bar 110 so that the amount of powder in scoop 84 may be regulated. As the position of shaft 62 approaches that in the solid 4 lines in FIGURE 4, the scoop 84 descends so as to discharge the powder into the funnel 86. The general path of travel for the scoop 84 is illustrated with phantom lines and arrows in FIGURE 4.

The repetitive rate of the cycle may be varied depending upon the speed of rotation of shaft 16. Rotation of shaft is desirably slow so as not to lose powder due to centrifugal action. Means not shown are provided to continuously or intermittently introduce powder into the receptacle 88 without interferring with the rakeofl? assembly 96. The rake-off bar 96 is preferably adjustable so that the correct level of powder is permitted to remain within the scoop 84. When the scoop 84 is initially raised from the receptacle 88, it is overcharged with powder, thereby preventing a situation occurring wherein the scoop 84 will withdraw an amount of powder which is less than the desired amount.

The disposition of the powder discharged into funnel 86 may assume a wide variety of uses. In connection with explosive powder, the funnel 86 may direct the powder into a detonator-loading machine which repetitively presents receptacles beneath the funnel 86 to receive the powder charge.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

-1. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, a scoop adjacent said receptacle, means connected to said scoop for causing the sco p to move toward and away from said receptacle so that it may remove powder from said receptacle and for pivoting said scoop about a substantially horizontal axis laterally spaced from said receptacle so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, and an adjustable rake-01f bar above the receptacle for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop.

.2. A scooper in accordance with claim 1 including a funnel supported below said receptacle and adjacent thereto for receiving powder from said scoop, said scoop being at least partially disposed within said funnel when discharging powder.

3. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, a scoop adjacent said receptacle, means connected to said scoop for causing the scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle so that it may remove powder from said receptacle and for pivoting said scoop about a substantially horizontal axis so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, a rake-off bar above the receptacle for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop, and means connected to the receptacle for rotating the receptacle about an upright axis.

4. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, a scoop adjacent said receptacle, means connected to said scoop for causing the scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle so that it may remove powder from said receptacle and f r pivoting said scoop about a substantially horizontal axis so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, a rake-off bar above the receptacle for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop, Said means including a first cam for causing said scoop to pivot about said axis and a second cam for causing said scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle.

5. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, a scoop adjacent said receptacle, means connected to said scoop for causing the scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle so that it may remove powder from said receptacle and for pivoting said scoop about a substantially horizontal axis so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, a rake-off bar above the receptacle for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop, a rake-off bar assembly supporting said bar for pivotable movement about an axis disposed to one side of said receptacle, and means for adjusting the vertical position of said bar with respect to the top of said receptacle.

6. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, .a scoop adjacent said receptacle, means connected to said scoop for causing the scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle so that it may remove powder from said receptacle and for pivoting said scoop about a substantially horizontal axis so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, a rake-off bar above the receptacle for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop, said means including a power input shaft having first and second cams thereon, a linkage interconnecting said first cam and said scoop to eifect movement of the scoop toward and away from the receptacle, linkage interconnecting said scoop and second cam to effect pivota'ble movement of the scoop about said axis.

7. A scooper in accordance with claim 6 including a yoke supported by said power input shaft, said scoop being supported by a scoop shaft, said scoop shaft being supported by the lower end of said yoke, and said firstinentioned linkage being connected to said yoke to effect pivotable movement of said yoke with respect to said power input shaft.

8. A scooper in accordance with claim 6 including a scoop shaft, said scoop being connected to one end of said scoop shaft, said scoop shaft being coupled to a horizontally disposed shaft, said second-mentioned linkage being connected to said horizontally disposed shaft to effect rotation of the same, thereby causing said scoop to pivot about said horizontal axis.

9. A scooper in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second-mentioned linkage is connected to said yoke and adapted to move the scoop relative to the yoke.

10. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, a scoop adjacent said receptacle, means connected to said scoop for causing the scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle so that it may remove powder from said receptacle and for pivoting said scoop about a substantially horizontal axis so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, a rake-off bar above the receptacle for controlling the amount of powder on the scoop, said means including a motor, a power input shaft connected to said motor and having cam-s for effecting said movements of the scoop, and means connecting said motor to said receptacle for simultaneously rotating said receptacle about an upright axis.

:11. An automatic powder scooper comprising an open top powder receptacle, a scoop adjacent said receptacle, actuating means connected to said scoop for causing the scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle also that it may remove powder from said receptacle and for pivoting said scoop so that it may discharge the powder withdrawn from the receptacle, means connected to the receptacle for rotating the receptacle, a rake-off assembly supporting a rake-01f bar adjacent said receptacle, and means for adjusting the vertical position of said bar with respect to the top of said receptacle.

12. A scooper in accordance with claim 11 wherein said actuating means includes a first cam for causing said scoop to pivot about said axis and a second cam for causing said scoop to move toward and away from said receptacle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 124,728 3/ 187-2 Donnell 222-4) 69 STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner. 

